Wildcat hockey skates off to a promising 2025-26 season
By Ella Tracy
Wildcat’s ice hockey started a strong season with a sweep against the University of Dubuque over Halloweekend. Since then, they’ve garnered an additional 4 wins and 2 losses, leading up to games against St. Olaf this weekend.
Credit: Halley Dunleavy
The team set an ambitious goal that is fueling their fire: making it to the MIAC playoffs. 4th year goalie Anna Friendshuh ‘26 (Financial Economics, Public Policy, Biology) said that after finishing near the bottom of the conference last year, they were motivated to make a shift. “Our coach has promised to jump off the Butler diving board if we make it to the playoffs,” she added, a deal that undoubtedly would sweeten a MIAC playoff season.
“This year has changed for the better,” said defensemen Sarah Wangen ‘27 (Exercise & Sport Science, Financial Economics). “I think we’ve become more of a team in terms of supporting each other and being happy for others' success.” Forwards Paige Loidolt ‘26 (Data Science/Actuarial Science, Financial Economics minor) and Halle Dunleavy ‘27 (Exercise and Sports Science, Psychology minor) seconded the sentiment, saying that one of their goals as a team was to have “energy on the bench and celebrate other successes.” Goalie Lea Grassia ‘27 (Exercise Science and Nutrition) said that “the positivity, commitment, and buy-in have been a staple so far this season.”
The hockey team had a significant change in its coaching staff. Kayla Chilstrom was brought on in May 2025 as the head coach after serving as an assistant coach since the 2022-23 season.
Wangen said, “I think the new coaching staff has implemented more structure and direction during practice and games. I also think they have focused more on educating players to become better players.” Grassia added that the coaching team “works hard to prepare us for the weekends and holds us to a standard with our practice habits that can be translated into games.” Loidolt and Dunleavy said they appreciate how easy the coaches are to talk to, and that they “have been receiving more feedback throughout games and practices, which has been a huge help throughout the beginning of the season.”
Credit: Lindsey Ashworth
Loidolt and Dunleavy said that the coaching staff this year is working on “more systems to develop our game to make us stronger, smarter players, with more coaches on the ice.”
As the season continues, the two forwards hope to maintain the energy from the bench that they’ve built so far. “We want to continue making history and growing the program so that this is a legacy we can be proud of,” they said.
You can find the hockey schedule here. The team plays home games at SPA’s Drake Arena, a short walk away from campus. Loidolt and Dunleavy encouraged community members to post or share awareness of when games are taking place, and spend a few minutes researching game rules for a better understanding of how the game is played. Friendshuh said, “Playing in front of an engaged student section is SO FUN and really helps the overall energy and momentum of the game! We have already been more successful this season, and it’s only just the beginning!”
Cover photo credit: St. Catherine University
